Gov: No need for threats over Cha-cha

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez need not make threats to push the shift to a federal form of government through Charter change (Cha-cha) because it already had widespread support, according to a governor from President Duterte’s bailiwick.

Antonio Rafael del Rosario of Davao del Norte was reacting to the Speaker’s speech before officials of Iloilo province on Thursday where he said local governments that did not support federalism should expect “zero budget” from the House.

“I am not the type to force anyone. If you don’t join us, okay. I respect that. It’s your right. But like I say, you should also respect my right to give you zero budget, right?” Alvarez said.

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Alvarez urged local officials to support Cha-cha “for the welfare of everyone.”

“I think the threat was unnecessary because the leagues of provinces, cities, municipalities and even barangays support President Duterte and the move for federalism,” Del Rosario, one of the remaining Liberal Party (LP) members in Mindanao, said on Friday.

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